The art of Sierra Leone

15th–20th century C.E.

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Man’s robe (<em>boubou</em> or <em>kusaibi</em>), unrecorded Mandinka artists
Man’s robe (boubou or kusaibi), unrecorded Mandinka artists

The boubou is a distinctive type of prestige dress worn by well-to-do men and women across a wide swath of western Africa.

Spoons from West Africa in Renaissance Lisbon
Spoons from West Africa in Renaissance Lisbon

Ivory spoons from West Africa were imported into Portugal in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Helmet Mask
Helmet Mask

Masks like this represent a guardian spirit and allude to an idealized female beauty in Mende and Sherbro culture.

Lidded Saltcellar
Lidded Saltcellar

Ivory saltcellars were objects created for trade: they were African made and intended for the Portuguese market.

Cotton hammock (Vai peoples)
Cotton hammock (Vai peoples)

Before motorized transport, male and female chiefs in Sierra Leone were transported in these elaborate hammocks.

Stone Head (mahe yafei), Kisi peoples
Stone Head (mahe yafei), Kisi peoples

These enigmatic stone heads were found in Sierra Leone and Liberia, and perhaps predate European arrival to Africa.

Bundu / Sowei Helmet Mask (Mende peoples)
Bundu / Sowei Helmet Mask (Mende peoples)

The Mende initiation rite for young women is the only known masquerade tradition where the mask-wearers are female.

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